{"product_id":"kalamazoo-kgn-12-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1942-7453","title":"Kalamazoo KGN-12 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1942)","description":"Kalamazoo KGN-12 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1942), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 5754H-25, natural lacquer finish, maple body, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black chipboard case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe early 1940s Kalamazoo \"Oriole\" series was a more deluxe version of Gibson's signature budget instruments, and to that end were built with a somewhat flashier appearance than the \"standard\" Kalamazoo instruments. This 1942 KGN-12 is basically the same model, just without the \"Oriole\" designation on the headstock, and would be one of the last Kalamazoo-brand guitars built before WWII ended the Gibson budget line. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe back and sides are made of fancy maple veneer, the binding is tortoise celluloid, and the top is finished in an opaque blonde lacquer. The neck is a very modern and comfortable round \"C\" profile, unlike the hard \"V\" commonly encountered on earlier Kalamazoo guitars. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe KGN-12 guitar was only in production for a brief period and is much rarer -- and in some ways prettier -- than the far more common 1930s Kalamazoo flat-tops.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 40 in. (101.6 cm.), 14 3\/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 3\/8 in. (11.1 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3\/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11\/16 in. (43 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis KGN remains a nicely original guitar, and is a good example of this fairly rare maple Kalamazoo. The finish has checked fairly heavily overall but has a nice deep blonde color on the top and a cool vibe. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere is some average wear with dings, scrapes, etc., but not a lot of playwear or the typical pick damage on the top often seen on similar guitars. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe bridge is still full height and shows signs of being reglued -- probably several times, with a newer bone saddle. The openback just-prewar style Kluson tuners are original with some corrosion to the baseplates. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis guitar has a nice, straight neck with a newer refret and is a very good player. There is some typical bellying to the top but it is solid and fully stable. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis KGN has a very good sound for this model, tighter and a bit brighter than the typical mahogany Kalamazoo, with plenty of volume and a lot of midrange punch. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Kalamazoo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853303468172,"sku":"7453","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_1d4466d0-5f1f-4307-b9e6-70cc11f23bef.jpg?v=1774333842","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/kalamazoo-kgn-12-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1942-7453","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}